Recruiting guru Lemming talks top Sooner targets, Stoops, social media
Published: 2/1/2013 3:45 PM
Last Modified: 2/1/2013 3:45 PM
Recruiting is coming to an end with Wednesday’s signing day in sight.
Tom Lemming has been evaluating recruiting classes for 34 years. He will help provide CBS Sports Network’s signing day coverage on Wednesday.
Three Oklahoma recruits are on his top 100 list: Quarterback Cody Thomas (No. 29), defensive end D.J. Ward (No. 66) and cornerback Stanvon Taylor (No. 90).
Thomas, a 6-5, 220-pound quarterback from Colleyville (Texas) Heritage Hall had more than 80 scholarship offers and selected OU over schools like Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, USC and Florida. He threw for 4,221 yards and a state-best 46 touchdowns for Heritage in 2012.
Lemming: “I love him. I gave him five stars for a reason. He has height, arm strength and great production. He played in a real tough league there in Dallas and the kid gets the job done … he fits perfectly with the way Oklahoma develops their quarterbacks. He’s a tall, athletic guy. He can not only throw, he can run. He’s a terrific athlete and will benefit from a redshirt year and could possibly be a four-year starter.”
D.J. Ward is already on Oklahoma’s campus. The 6-3, 245-pounder is projected to be a defensive end. He didn’t play in his senior season after transferring to two different schools last year.
Lemming: “I think he’s one of the top players. I did lower him a bit. He was ranked higher in the preseason. I didn’t want to lower him too much. He has great ability. He’s explosive with long arms. He had a great junior year. I watched almost all of his tape as a junior. I loved him. He was definitely the best player in the state as a junior.”
Stanvon Taylor could be instant contributor next season. The 5-11, 165-pound cornerback from East Central has received plenty of notice during this recruiting season.
Lemming: “His coach actually brought him to my hotel lobby in Tulsa. We did the interview there. He’s explosive with great vision and balance. He’s another of the blue-chip players … I ranked him preseason after he missed his junior year with injuries. He’s a big-time talent and probably the most explosive player in Oklahoma.”
Lemming also talked about others on OU’s recruiting list, Bob Stoops and social media:
On running back Keith Ford: “Keith Ford is one of the premier running backs. When he is healthy – and that’s been a problem – he has five-star potential. He’s a terrific back with vision, strength, balance and good size. He’s a legit big-time ball player.”
On wide receiver Jordan Smallwood: “Jordan was one of our better athletes of the (Semper Fi) game. He looked good at practice every day. Jordan was one of the guys that always had positives (from coaches.)”
On safety Hatari Byrd: “He is a nice, physical player. I saw him in his sophomore, junior and senior years at Fresno. People don’t realize he’s a legit four-star guy. I go five star, four-star plus and four-star and he’s a plus guy close to being a five-star guy. He’s probably one of the most physical defensive backs that you’ll see. He shows good, but not great cover skills. He’s a physical specimen.”
On Bob Stoops: “Stoops is one of the best recruiters in the country and I rank him for sure in the top 10. Every year, Oklahoma does a good job. Sometimes they do great jobs. But over the past 12 years, he’s been the most consistent … He and Mack Brown are two of the best recruiters in the country.”
On the impact of social media in recruiting: “The kids like the attention. They’re 17-18 years old. They’re mature physically. They’re not mentally. Every year, there are mistakes made on Twitter. … The Internet takes advantage of the vulnerability of 17-year olds.”
Written by
Eric Bailey
Sports Writer
